Prediction of Anthropometric Foot Characteristics in Children

Abstract

Background: The establishment of growth reference values is needed in pediatric practice where pathologic conditions can have a detrimental effect on the growth and development of the pediatric foot. This study aims to use multiple regression to evaluate the effects of multiple predictor variables (height, age, body mass, and gender) on anthropometric characteristics of the peripubescent foot. Methods: Two hundred children aged 9 to 12 years were recruited, and three anthropometric measurements of the pediatric foot were recorded (foot length, forefoot width, and navicular height). Results: Multiple regression analysis was conducted, and coefficients for gender, height, and body mass all had significant relationships for the prediction of forefoot width and foot length (P = .05, r = 0.7). The coefficients for gender and body mass were not significant for the prediction of navicular height (P = .05), whereas height was (P = .05). Conclusions: Normative growth reference values and prognostic regression equations are presented for the peripubescent foot. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(6): 497–502, 2009)